Veteran defense lawyer convicted in conspiracy to bribe witness not to testify against client

A veteran Rhode Island defense lawyer has been convicted in a claimed conspiracy to bribe a witness not to testify in a criminal case.

After 13 hours of deliberation, a Providence jury found Gerard Donley guilty on Thursday of bribery, conspiracy and obstruction of justice. He testified that money he paid to the girlfriend of a man allegedly stabbed by his client, Jamaal Dublin, was intended to compensate the victim, convicted felon Michael Drepaul, for his injuries, according to the Associated Press and the Providence Journal.